Oil Pressure gauge

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indyken46619

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Hi all,
I'd like to install an oil pressure gauge in my coupe. I did a search here but did not come up with much.

I'm looking for some advice. Where and what to buy and installation instructions. From the research I've done I know there are electrical and mechanical systems. Also some attach to the regular sensor location and some tap in to the oil filter housing (I'd like to keep it simple unless there is good reason to do other).

Thx,
Ken
73 CSi 2260090
 
It has been a long time since I contemplated additional instrumentation including an aftermarket oil pressure gauge.

I have installed both the electric and the mechanical. To the best of my recollection I have always used some sort of a "T" fitting that screws into the rear of the cylinder head in place of the standard oil pressure sender. By doing so, it is possible to retain the "idiot light" along with a digital or analog gauge.

I seem to recall both systems were VDO -made. I like the simplicity of the mechanical gauge, but the thought of oil spewing in the cabin would make me think twice about it now. Never had a problem though. Would suggest doing a few searches re VDO. Would expect the same aftermarket suppliers to Volvo, Mercedes and similar Euro machines are other places in which to look. Recall the biggest issue, aside from where to install the gauge, was getting the correct threads on any adapter (T fitting).

Good luck!
 
I installed a 3-gauge panel (oil temp, pressure, volts) from Parker Performance (http://www.parkerperformance.com/)

I had a custom panel made to fit where the radio would usually go. Everything was included, including the panel, gauges, adapter to fit where the current oil pressure sender is, and wiring harness.

The existing oil pressure sender (for the idiot light) is replaced with an adapter that allows for the gauge to work as well as the existing dash light.

I can send pics by email of the sender adapter and the gauges installed.
 
I went with the electrical VDOs, 2 1/16"dia. I think I got them from Bav Auto, they will also have the senders. I think the simplest sender for the temp. gauge is the oil drain plug, yet another good reason to change the oil....probably should've done that Sunday instead of going on that nice drive.. :twisted:

It becomes personal choice where to place the guages: original dash speaker location (higher is easier to see), in the center console (possibly easier to install) or......??

HTH-
shanon
'70 2800cs (...manipulated)
 
I mounted my oil pressure and oil temperature gauges in the spot vacated by the center speaker. This picture doesn't really do it justice.

http://www.cowpokeracing.com/ali/interior.jpg

The problem with taking the temperature off the oil drain plug is that it's not very accurate. Ideally you'd get it at the oil filter housing, but it's hard to tap those and not have them leak. I tried to modify the later style housing for a sender unit, and even had someone that knows how to TIG weld help me out, and it no workie. Leaked like crazy. I still haven't come up with a good solution, but I know that Devinder installed a temperature sender in the early style filter mount with no problems. I might end up having to do that if I ever want a functioning temperature gauge.
 
TJ - on the Parker Performance site there is an adapter that looks like it goes somewhere other than the oil drain plug. I just can't figure out where.

Click on the BMW CSL link

http://www.parkerperformance.com/

Item no. M000132

Dual Sender Adaptor for oil pressure and oil temp (BMW) This Adaptor is needed to mount an Oil Pressure Gauge Sender and a Oil Temp Gauge Sender to any BMW 2002 and others. It has a 12mm mounting banjo bolt and the adaptor block is drilled to ( 14mm X 1.5k) for temp sender VDO Part # 323-055 and 1/8-27 NPT for PSI sender VDO Part#360-025

http://www.parkerperformance.com/images/products/M000132.ap2.jpg
 
The Parker Performance adapter mounts where the oil pressure sender currently sits at the rear of the head. The adapter is tapped for both a pressure sender (gauge and idiot light) and temp. The rear of the head is good for pressure, but perhaps not the best for temp. Anyway, its nice to have both senders in the same place and makes for a clean and easy install with no tapping, leaks, etc.
 
Here are my solutions to install oil-pressure-gauges or other instruments :

Two gauges, made this panel for a club-colleague a few years ago :

[Broken External Image]:[URL]http://www.siteupload.de/t536340-2fachaltjpg.jpg[/URL]

Three gauges, actually installed in my coupe, also self-made of massive aluminium :

[Broken External Image]:[URL]http://www.siteupload.de/t536347-3fach1jpg.jpg[/URL]
[Broken External Image]:[URL]http://www.siteupload.de/t536348-3fachlinksjpg.jpg[/URL]
[Broken External Image]:[URL]http://www.siteupload.de/t536353-3fachrechtsjpg.jpg[/URL]

Translation for "Klicke auf das Bild für Originaldownload" Click on the pic to go to "original size"

Actually i have 2 sets of 2-instrument-panels still, like the one on the first pic.
Completed with 30 year old, historic gauges from Koch&Overbeck,oil-temp and pressure.
If there is any interest for my work, i will make an worldwide auction on EBAY within the next 2 weeks, and post the link.

These panels are not allready done, they missed the wrinkle paint, therefore i have no pics in the moment.
Mounting is easy, you only have to remove the wooden speakercover, the holder fits into the notch, fix it with 2 screws and put it together with the 2-hole-cover.
The newer version has no chrome-frame.

Price approximately 250 Euro, not cheap, but they were a lot of work :)

PS: You can send me a PM
 
I´ve made an eBay auction !

I´ve made an eBay auction for my 2-gauges panel !


5bc36a59f1d81664df285eec01478631.jpg



http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=300183195945&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT&ih=020
 
my setup....

I used the VDO Series 1 style gauges, as they have white needles to match the coupes gauges. I purchased them on egauges.com, while I got the senders from Parker Performance. Just make sure the sender is rated at the same range as the gauges. (In my case, oil temp 300 degrees F, oil pressure 150 lbs, volts 12) I fabricated my own gauge panel using partilce board and vinyl material purchased from the local fabric store.
For the oil pressure sender, I replaced the oil pressure switch at the rear of the head with VDO sender, pn 360-024. This sender has two terminals, one for the idiot light, and the other for the gauge. I used VDO pn 323-066 for the oil temp sender. This replaces the oil drain plug. The voltmeter wires to any switched 12 volt source.
To run the wiring, I pushed two 14g wires through the firewall hole that the speedo cable runs through, just because it worked well for me. In the engine bay, run one wire to the oil pressure gauge, and one to the temp gauge, and their respective gauges. For the voltmeter, you can use any switched power source.
Each gauge, excepting the voltmeter, has three terminals on it: One for the sender, one to power the gauge, and one for ground. The voltmeter has the power, and ground terminals. Most gauges also have a light socket in it. I wired mine to the instrument cluster gauges so they would dim as well.
Find a switched power source for the gauges, as well as a grounding point. Make the appropriate connections, and you're done! HTH

769dcbf1e3831bca0fae62e025a939e4.jpg
[/img]
 
another oil gauge position

The PO put this on in the empty spot on the left ( you can see it through the steering wheel). It just sits there.

I guess that means lefties have to hold their coffee cups between their knees, unless they are driving a LHD car in the Commonwealth. :p
http://www.borglum.com/bmw/dash.jpg
[Broken External Image]:http://www.borglum.com/bmw/dash.jpg (alt+p)[/img]
 
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